Milan Court Orders Journalist to Pay Fine for Mocking Prime Minister Meloni

A Milan court has ruled that journalist Giulia Cortese must pay a fine of 5,000 euros (approximately $5,411) to Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni following a social media incident. The controversy began in 2021 when Cortese tweeted a manipulated image that juxtaposed Meloni with the late dictator Benito Mussolini, which sparked a heated exchange between the two figures. In addition to the monetary penalty, the court imposed a suspended fine of 1,200 euros (around $1,300) on Cortese for a separate tweet that was characterized as "body shaming." In this tweet, Cortese made a derogatory comment about Meloni's height, stating, "You don't scare me, Giorgia Meloni. After all, you're only 1.2 metres [4 feet] tall. I can't even see you." The ruling has raised discussions about the boundaries of political satire and the implications of social media commentary in Italy. Critics argue that such legal actions could stifle free expression, while supporters maintain that public figures should be protected from defamatory remarks. This case highlights the ongoing tensions in Italian politics, particularly surrounding Meloni's leadership and the role of media in shaping public discourse. As the situation develops, it remains to be seen how this ruling will influence future interactions between journalists and political leaders in Italy.